Location

Free Oral Examinations for Service Dogs

A patient receives an oral health checkup in the Michael R. Floyd Dental Operatory, dedicated to small animal dentistry and oral surgery.

June 14, 2012

The first annual American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) Service Dog Oral Healthcare Exam program will be held in August 2012. The event will honor the dogs who selflessly serve the public – guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, working and military dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

The veterinarians will be looking for signs of periodontal disease, fractured teeth, discolored teeth, oral masses, and other oral and dental diseases that can cause pain or discomfort for service dogs.

Although no treatment will be offered as part of the Service Dog Oral Healthcare Exam program, if oral or dental abnormalities are found, a treatment plan will be laid out that the owner or handler can elect to pursue at a later date. In addition, the clinicians will teach service dog owners and handlers about the benefits of preventative oral health care. Many AVDC veterinary dental specialists have treated service dogs in the past and are well aware that oral pain can prevent these dogs from working effectively. This program will help ensure that America’s service dogs are able to do their important work at peak efficiency.

Owners and handlers of service animals who have been certified from a formal training program, or enrolled in a training program can phone to schedule an appointment. A limited number of appointments is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.